Moving is never an easy venture. However, it can be even more difficult for your pets. This is particularly true if you've lived in the same place its entire life. If you've recently moved to a new home, and your dog is acting a bit sad, it might be suffering from depression. Luckily, with time, and lots of tender loving care, your dog should snap out of it. Here are three steps you can take to help your dog overcome its emotional turmoil over the move.
Help It Meet New Friends
If your dog was a social animal in the old neighborhood, it's time to get it out to meet new friends. The best way to do that is at a local dog park. Contact the parks and recreation department in your new town, and locate the closest dog park to your home. Giving your dog the opportunity to make new friends, and keep active, will help it adjust to life without the old group. It's important to remember that your dog may be in mourning over the loss of its friends. If your dog doesn't seem ready to make new friends, give it plenty of extra love until it is.
Keep Connected
If you've gone back to work, and your dog is suffering from separation anxiety due to the move, it might help to keep connected. Moving to a new home can leave your dog feeling lost and confused. Watching you leave for work each can increase the severity of those feelings. Help your dog adjust by staying connected while you're away.
One way to do that is to install an answering machine in your home. Call your number once or twice a day and leave a special message for your dog. Hearing your voice from the phone will help it realize that it's not completely alone in a strange place. You can also install a home monitoring system that will allow you to monitor your dog from your office. Install the monitor on your wall, so that your dog will be able to see your face when you're online.
Seek Professional Help
In most cases, your dog will adjust to the changes, and be back to its old self in a matter of weeks. However, if your dog becomes lethargic, or refuses to eat, it might be time to seek professional help. Your vet will be able to help your dog overcome the depression it's experiencing.
